Applications for funded places on the PG Cert in Clinical Data Science open on 1 April
Applications will open on Wednesday 1 April 2026 for NHS England (NHSE) funded places on the University of Manchester’s PG Cert in Clinical Data Science.
The Clinical Data Science programme aims to empower healthcare professionals to apply data science in practice and translate data into patient benefit. The course has been designed to help healthcare professionals:
- build digital and data capabilities and confidence
- learn to work better with data-centric professionals on digital transformation and research projects
- develop data-based solutions to clinical problems
- develop fundamental data science skills for processing, analysing and communicating with data
The PG Cert comprises 4 modules, which are primarily delivered online, ordinarily with a single face-to-face day per module.
Read more about the programme on the University of Manchester website
View the University of Manchester’s more detailed guide to the programme
NHSE-funded places on the 2026 intake are open to staff working in, or delivering services to, the NHS in England. Applications will be welcome from applicants interested in studying the programme full-time over 1 year or part-time over 2 years.
- The application process for funded places for the 2026 intake will be a single application to NHS England, which will be managed by the National School of Healthcare Science.
- There will be no need to apply additionally to the University of Manchester.
We received a very healthy number of applications from healthcare scientists in 2025 and hope to see the same in 2026. Please do pass this information around to interested colleagues.
Find out more about the programme and how to apply for a funded place
Opportunities for current healthcare scientists to enhance their genomics knowledge
The National School of Healthcare Science and valued scientific colleagues across several specialties have developed 2 short courses designed to support upskilling of the existing workforce in genomics laboratories. A £10,000 NHS England Training Grant is available, and all tuition fees are paid.
PgCert in Haematology Genomics
This Level 7 programme blends academic coursework with hands-on learning in the workplace, covering topics such as clinical bioinformatics, molecular diagnostics, and genomic data interpretation in haematological malignancies.
The programme is designed for Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Scientists, and Genetic Technologists working in NHS genomics laboratories.
PgCert in Histopathology Genomics
This Level 7 programme blends academic coursework with hands-on learning in the workplace, covering topics such as preparation of tissue samples for genomic testing and the interpretation of results.
The programme is designed for Biomedical Scientists and Genetic Technologists working in NHS histopathology and genomics laboratories.
To express your interest in either programme, please contact your training and education lead.
Strengthening our NHS educator community: join the NHS Futures educators workspace
Educators are the backbone of healthcare education. Every day, you deliver vital learning experiences across hospitals, general practices, community services and clinical settings, directly shaping the quality of care our patients receive now and in the future.
NHS England’s Educator Workforce Programme is committed to valuing, expanding and developing a diverse and sustainable NHS educator workforce across all professions and employers. This includes championing protected time for education, supporting access to high quality resources, and ensuring educators are recognised within workforce planning.
If you want to connect with fellow educators, share ideas, access resources and help drive educator priorities forward, join the NHS Futures Educators Workspace.
Academy for Healthcare Science Leadership Journal - Spring 2026 edition now available
We’re pleased to highlight the release of the Spring 2026 Edition of the AHCS Healthcare Science Leadership Journal.
This latest edition features a wide range of thought‑provoking articles from contributors across the Healthcare Science community, including inspiring personal stories, reflective pieces, and practical leadership guidance relevant to both current and future leaders in the profession.
Read the HCS Leadership Journal – Spring Edition 2026
We encourage colleagues and partners to explore the publication and share it within your networks. It’s an excellent resource for anyone with an interest in leadership within Healthcare Science.
Should you wish to contribute to a future edition of the Leadership Journal, please read the guidance on the AHCS website and email: leadershipjournal@ahcs.ac.uk to get in touch.
Library resources for healthcare scientists
NHS England’s Knowledge and Library Services team have created a resource specifically for Healthcare Scientists about the knowledge and library resources they have access to.
View the guide to library resources for healthcare scientists
National Education and Training Survey 2025 results now available
The National Education Training Survey (NETS) Reporting Tool has now been published on the NHS England website and is available for use.
The 2025 NETS received the highest number of responses to date (43,618).
NETS is the only national survey open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students and trainees undertaking a practice placement, training post or work-based learning in healthcare as part of their education and training programme.
NHS Blood and Transplant - Deputy Chief Scientific Officer opportunity
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is seeking to appoint a Deputy Chief Scientific Officer.
This is a pivotal national role that will help shape and deliver NHSBT’s long-term scientific strategy and support the continued development of their scientific workforce. This appointment reflects the ongoing investment in the scientific profession at NHSBT and their commitment to strengthening scientific leadership across the organisation.
Find out more about NHSBT’s Deputy Chief Scientific Officer opportunity
Sharing Good Practice webinar series – view, sign up and share
The school’s growing Sharing Good Practice (SGP) webinar series is designed to support healthcare scientists, trainers and trainees in the workplace by helping them learn from centres, trainers and trainees that have developed good practice.
The webinars have proved to be very popular and 2026 will see a wide range of new webinars being offered. We have also developed a searchable and browsable catalogue of every SGP talk we have hosted, via which you can view recordings of the individual talks and download webinar presentations.
Find out more about our Sharing Good Practice resources and events
Are you interested in sharing your practice?
As part of our Sharing Good Practice webinar series, we are particularly interested in trainers, trainees and healthcare scientists across the community sharing practice they have developed in:
- the use of AI in clinical settings
- training on the Echocardiography Training Programme (ETP)
- conducting work-based assessments
- reflective practice
If you or your network have developed practice that you feel could be valuable to share with your peers, please express an interest in sharing your practice via the form linked to below.